These user-driven requirements are based on the most pressing cloud computing challenges faced by Alliance member organizations. First announced in 2011, the new usage models build on the Alliance’s vision to define IT requirements for open, interoperable cloud computing solutions.

The Alliance is working to better manage security and infrastructure across cloud computing while identifying the specific innovations and standards required for widespread adoption of cloud services.

The adoption of these innovations cloud reduce annual IT costs by $25 billion within five years, as well as more than $50 billion in cloud services investment.

Members are currently working on proof of concept testing of solutions based on Alliance requirements this year with many of these POCs and results featured at ODCA Forecast 2012.

“The Open Data Center Alliance was formed to help our members deploy cloud with the most innovative technologies addressing the most urgent requirements for enterprise IT,” said Curt Aubley, VP and CTO Global NexGen Cyber Innovation & Technology at Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services and president of Open Data Center Alliance. “These five usage models, underscoring the significance of security and infrastructure capabilities in the cloud, help us blaze a path toward widespread cloud adoption based on open, industry standard solutions.”

Four of the usage models and an overview document specifically address security, which appears to be the top concern for cloud adoption.

The security usage models will drive interoperability between identity management and access management systems that will allow users to use resources in the cloud as if they were located within the organization.

The fifth usage model focuses on long distance virtual machine migration which provides information about enterprises’ expectations for availability, scalability and extendability of their data via seamless data migration.

The Alliance also announced the first sponsors of Open Data Center Alliance Forecast 2012, an event designed for IT leaders to harness the latest developments on solution delivery for the expected 2012 ramp in cloud solution deployments.

Held on June 12 in conjunction with the 10th International Cloud Expo in New York City, ODCA Forecast 2012 will showcase how ODCA usage model adoption can accelerate ROI for businesses deploying cloud solutions and services. Aubley will also be a keynote speaker at ODCA Forecast 2012.

Talk Back: Do you agree that these new usage models will help increase cloud adoption and boost cloud services revenues? How are you working to increase cloud adoption among your own customer base? Let us know in the comments.

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